South Sudan takes delivery of Chinese-built Jur river bridge

JUBA – South Sudan officially received the newly constructed Jur River Bridge, also known as the Clement Mboro Bridge, in a handover ceremony held in the capital, Juba, on Monday.

The bridge, built by Chinese firm Tianyuan Company Limited since 2021, spans a total of 1,480 meters with a designed length of 240 meters and a width of 14 meters.

It is located in Western Bahr el-Ghazal state’s capital Wau.

South Sudan’s Minister of Roads and Bridges, Simon Mijok Mijak, hailed the project as a symbol of strong ties between China and South Sudan.

“This modern bridge… will stand as the symbol of our true, unshakable friendship between China and South Sudan,” Mijak said during the ceremony.

He further expressed interest in continued Chinese investment in South Sudan’s infrastructure development, particularly the construction of a major corridor linking the country with Ethiopia and Djibouti.

Western Bahr el Ghazal State Governor Sarah Cleto Hassan Rial emphasized the bridge’s potential role in fostering peace and development.

“The Clement Mboro Bridge will play a very important role in fostering peace and improving security across the country,” she stated.

Hassan underscored the significance of infrastructure projects in promoting stability and economic growth.

“Building roads and bridges will spur sustainable peace and contribute toward the economic development of the country,” she added.

Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan, Ma Qiang, highlighted the critical role of transportation infrastructure.

“The transportation industry, when properly developed, plays a fundamental and strategic role in driving economic and social development,” Ma said.

He acknowledged the limitations on economic potential in Wau, the capital of Western Bahr el Ghazal, due to limited infrastructure.

“The completion of the bridge will save time for crossing the Jur River, connect people on both sides, increase employment opportunities, and inject new vitality into the local economic and social development,” Ma said.

The bridge is seen as a tangible outcome of the Belt and Road Initiative between China and South Sudan, fostering both physical and cultural connections between the two countries.